Topics menu

You are here:

Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2011-184

Over-the-air television service in Whitehorse, Yellowknife and Iqaluit

1. In Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-167, the Commission set out a list of markets designated for mandatory conversion to digital television. These markets include the National Capital Region and all provincial and territorial capital cities, as well as markets either served by multiple originating stations, including Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) stations, or with populations greater than 300,000.

2. Since the publication of Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-167, broadcasters have filed their plans for digital conversion in mandatory markets. Given that the continued operation of analog transmitters in Whitehorse and Yellowknife would not be permitted beyond 31 August 2011, broadcasters intend to shut down five of the six television transmitters in those markets. Only the CBC transmitter in Yellowknife would remain in operation and that transmitter would be converted to digital.

3. The Commission notes that the transmitters in Whitehorse and Yellowknife are located in small and remote markets, that they do not operate on channels 52 to 69 and that their continued operation would have no impact on television stations in adjacent markets. The Commission further notes that there are no full-power over-the-air analog television transmitters operating in Iqaluit that would be subject to mandatory conversion to digital.

4. The Commission is therefore of the view that it is no longer appropriate to include the territorial capitals Whitehorse, Yukon, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Iqaluit, Nunavut on the list of markets designated for mandatory conversion to digital television.

5. Accordingly, the Commission hereby revises the list of mandatory markets for conversion to digital television set out in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2010-167 as follows:

6. The Commission is also issuing today Broadcasting Information Bulletin 2010-719-2, which sets out revised lists of analog transmitters involved in digital conversion that are operating in mandatory markets and analog transmitters involved in digital conversion that are operating on channels 52 to 69 outside mandatory markets. These revised lists reflect the determination in this regulatory policy.